A few months ago, I finally decided to write a food blog since cooking has been my passion since I was 15 years old. Like many, I enjoy planning menus and shopping for ingredients. I often look in our (or someone else’s) refrigerator and cabinets and challenge myself to create something delicious with the items on hand. Or, I’ll read a cookbook or cooking magazine cover to cover to search for the perfect recipe(s).

I’m told that cooking and baking for a party is one of my super powers as it is something I do effortlessly. Chopping, measuring, mixing, folding, stirring, sautéing, roasting, frying, basting are all things that bring me great joy. I absolutely love being in the kitchen to create deliciousness for the people in my life.

Although, I do have a day job in a completely different industry, I have (and will) cater dinner parties, weddings, graduations and birthdays. Over the years, I’ve been asked countless times for recipes or suggestions from family and friends. My daughter calls or texts regularly from the East Coast to ask what she should make based upon the items in her refrigerator or pantry.

That’s when I go to work and search my extensive database of recipes accumulated over 35+ years. It is this scrumptious food library that is the impetuous of my nostalgic but modern food-lovers site!

My challenge for this first post was the recipe to share. I literally have hundreds and hope you enjoy my choice that was the main course for a recent dinner party with friends and my spouse’s favorite.

You’ll find that my recipes are easy and delicious. Bottom line, I want you to have confidence in the kitchen. And soon, you’ll realize there is no need to fear the pork chop as long as you follow the recipe below (and do not over cook them).

Simple but Elegant Pan-Seared Bone-In or Tomahawk Pork Chops (one of my favorite recipes I found a few years ago that my spouse loves)

2 TBSP olive oil

Two 12-oz bone-in or tomahawk pork chops (1″ thick)

1 TBSP each Pink Himalayan Sea Salt and Ground Black Pepper (I have both in grinders because I like them coarse but you can use your favorites)

6 TBSP unsalted butter

Thyme leaves from 4 sprigs

4 Garlic cloves, smashed

  1. Season pork chops on both sides with the salt and pepper
  2. In a large skillet (or I use a cast iron, grill pan), heat the olive oil over medium high heat and add the pork chops
  3. Sear the pork chops, flipping once for 4-5 minutes on each side. Then, remove from the pan to a plate
  4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter, thyme and garlic until melted and fragrant, about 1 minute
  5. Return the pork chops to the pan. Cook and flip once. Baste constantly with the butter sauce until the pork chops reach 140 degrees (do yourself a favor and purchase a good, quality meat thermometer. Pork is generally done at 145 degrees but will continue cooking when you remove them from the pan. Do not overcook them or you’ll have dry chops)
  6. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before serving or carving into thick slices

Serves two but you can double, triple or quadruple the recipe. I like to serve these with Spinach Sautéed with Lemon, Kale and Wild Mushrooms or Roasted Butternut Squash with Fresh Herbs. For a starch, you can add Garlic and Rice Pilaf, Brown Rice, Mashed Potatoes or polenta. These are all excellent choices!

Enjoy! XOXO Jill

T-Bone Chop with Roasted Zucchini and Squash with a Side of Rice